Lady and the Tramp

Walt Disney has for so long parlayed gooey sentiment and stark horror into profitable cartoons that most moviegoers are apt to be more surprised than disappointed to discover that the combination somehow does not work this time.

The wider canvas and extra detail work reportedly meant an additional 30% in negative cost. It was a sound investment.

Disney's imagination seems at a low ebb, saddled with a shrunken, excessively naturalistic style in line with the diminished possibilities of postwar animation, and not yet graced by the inspiration that would redeem that style in Sleeping Beauty.

Happily the cameo lowlife, an excellent manic beaver, the famously villainous Siamese, and classic songs rescue the film from dumb animal sentiment.

The sentimentality is mighty, and the use of the CinemaScope size does not make for any less awareness of the thickness of the goo.

This tale (oh hah hah!) of two canines in love has withstood the test of time to remain a family classic.

I just love hand drawn animation, it really brings to life all the characters in a very expressive way. The imperfections doing it by hand give everything a rougher edge but more heart.

Handsomely, seductively drawn, Lady and the Tramp owns its place in the canon...

in many ways it is closer to the man Walt Disney's view of the world than any of his preceding films, especially the way it is filtered largely through his sense of nostalgia for the Victorian era

A somewhat dry, but very good Disney animated effort punctuated by a few Disney-defining classic moments.

Share the love of "Lady and the Tramp" with your loved ones this Valentine's Day.

A wonderful blend of timeless romance, wholesome adventure, and breathtaking animation.